RaeRayMusic

I currently am playing lead trumpet in my school's Jazz band. And so far I haven't been asked to play anything above a high 'C' which I can manage but now I'm being asked to play a high 'F' and while I can technically get the note out it's really out of tune and sounds weak. The concert's in a month and my director really expects me to be able to play it, and strong.
I wanted to know if anyone had any advice or exercizes I could use during practice that would really help?
Thanks,
Raeray

cornetguy

Sorry to rain on your parade. there is no short cut to building range it takes a long time. It probably won't happen in a month. Your band director has unrealistic expectations to give charts that go to high f to students that have just become able to play high c's. The best exercises are patience and flexibility studies (bai lin is my favorite right now, but colin and irons have done the job for years) scholssburg, arban, saint jacome, clarke...

stchasking

Your instructor is out of line. That is putting it politely.

If your instructor is a high brass player he needs to instruct you.
If your instructor is a reed player your parents need to talk to his boss.

This might be a good reason to start taking private lessons. Ask your parents for lessons.

bagmangood

Basically what the other guys said,
the only way to get up there is time and work

WARNING
Do not blow out your chops trying to increase your range quickly. Many of the exercises that can help you playing up there are very tiring and will wear you out until you playing beyond what you should be playing. Tone first, then range

RaeRayMusic

Haha, I don't think I explained the situation well enough. I've never been asked to play above a 'C' in music making it the highest note where I sould pretty and intune. I've been able to hit 'F's for over a year now. I just don't sound good on it(or anything between C's and F's for that matter). What I'm asking for is exercizes to improve my tone in my higher range.

bagmangood

There are two kinds of range (at least there always have been for me and other students I've known)
One is the range that we can control well and get good sounds with. There is also the range we can technically hit. Strengthening what we can technically hit takes just as much time if not more than extending the highest note range (the squeeking, bad sound range)

rowuk

No chance. I don't believe that your director expects instant high F either although he will undoubtedly encourage you to go for as much as you can get.

Instant High Notes are not some trick or secret that you can download or get from some pro. Lead trumpet is olympic level sport that requires intelligent, extended training. Trying to take short cuts ends up with a ruined embouchure and MUCH more work to break old habits. Do not do the stupid thing and try to prove to the world that you can short circuit common sense. get your breathing and chops together and with DILIGENT practice, in a year or so you should be there.

Fluffy615

Hi RaeRay,
Everyone that has posted is right, there's no shortcut. Some of the things that have been suggested are great, but you can also try taking some easy melodies and playing them an octave higher. You know simple songs. Play them as musically as you can up there. Try to get them to sound as nice as they do where they're actually written. Never let the music suffer when you try to play high. You can also try playing a lot of marches and hymns. The more the horn is on your face and you're playing correctly, your chops should improve. Remember to rest enough as well. You can't beat your chops into submission.

Annie

You don't sound good to yourself...or your director? Sometimes we as players are too hard on ourselves.

I agree with Fluffy615 - simple melodies up the range are a great way to work on your tone and sound up there. One thing that helped me when I was playing lead parts in my University jazz ensemble was to do Clarke Exercise #2 up an octave, or two, depending on which key it was. The best way to sound better in that range is to play & practice in it as often as possible without hurting yourself - SPECIFICALLY without hurting yourself. IF anything hurts, or feels tired, take a break - you can seriously hurt yourself from overplaying.

Best of luck!

TrpRobster

I agree with all the great advice given here. Lead trumpet playing takes deliberate and specific practice. It's almost a way of life.

But I am curious as to what equipment you're using. If you can hit the high F on your current mouthpiece, maybe all you need is equipment more appropriate for lead trumpet playing. I'm not suggesting changing mouthpieces as a shortcut, I'm just saying you need the right tools to produce the sound you want.